Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2022
Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House, by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz5 enthusiastic stars!
This was a really outstanding read, essentially a bio of Nixon's vice-president, Spiro T. Agnew. I literally noticed my jaw hanging at some of the twists and turns in this story. I read it only because another book I was reading mentioned a character's sadness that Nixon's VP had to step down for tax evasion. But there is so very much more going on here! Well-written and really kept me turning the pages. I'm sorry I didn't buy this instead of getting it from the library.
Mod
5 stars
Occasionally a book comes along that makes you feel like you are not the only one going through something or went through something in the past. This book reminded me so much of my own mother (without the money aspect) that at one point it brought me to tears. She was brought up with a psychotic mother and the father was out of the picture for the most part. Children brought up basically without a mother figure because the mother was unable to love or care for her children. I see there is a follow-up to this book and I will definitely look for that.
Mod
3 stars
Interesting look at how a psychic works to solve crimes. It would be hard to be a skeptic after reading this. The only complaint I would have about this book is halfway through the book the stories started to sound the same and there was little background information about the crimes except for her part in it.
I finished What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo. I strongly, strongly recommend it for reading: techniques the author used to heal herself can benefit anyone, with or without PTSD.
House of Kwa by Mimi KwaMy Crazy Rich Asian Dad by Mimi Kwa..or growing up half Bogan Aussie, half Chinese. Makes for a fascinating memoir for sure...(actually, its the aussie mum who is officially the crazy one) but it makes for a better story to tell the dad jokes.
The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home
Denise Kiernan
4/5 stars
22. Architecture – The Last Castle – The Epic Story of Love, Loss, And The American Royalty in The Nation’s Largest Home by Denise Kiernan 4/5 stars 8/28/2022
This was quite an interesting story of George Vanderbilt, his wife and the building and history of the Biltmore House on 125,000 acres in North Carolina. The author takes us through the good and bad times of the family including what happened to them from both World Wars and the Depression. I have never been to the estate but I really enjoyed this book.
I was rather baffled several years ago when I read that author Jhumpa Lahiri had decided to move to Italy and write in Italian. Her new book Translating Myself and Others describes her journey. Interesting stuff.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/08/29/t...
One Red Paperclip: Or How an Ordinary Man Achieved His Dream with the Help of a Simple Office Supply by Kyle Macdonald3 fun stars
This is not a brilliant book by any stretch of the definition, but I enjoyed it because I remember following this for the latter half. It was rather fun, but of course you have to like Macdonald's humour, etc. It is longer than what was on his website and was definitely more of a novelty book that would have sold at the time the story was still fresh.
That said, it's fun to read about a man who started with an ordinary red paperclip and traded up until he had a house. No, he didn't do this all by himself, he managed to get publicity when he was asked to be on TV shows and so on and so forth. There were two major celebrities involved (one of whom through an employee) which didn't hurt, either. Plus--and, to be honest, this was big for me--he's Canadian and I'm almost always up to hear Canadian success stories.
Karin wrote: "One Red Paperclip: Or How an Ordinary Man Achieved His Dream with the Help of a Simple Office Supply by Kyle Macdonald3 fun stars
This is not a brilliant book by an..."
That book sounds like a fun read!
Over at the Nonfiction Book Club here on Goodreads there was a Book of the Month discussion of Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare by Stephen Greenblatt. That prompted me to listen to the audiobook. Fascinating stuff. A lot of detail about Shakespeare the man, the playwright, the actor, father, and businessman. The author also provides a good deal of context regarding life in Elizabethan England.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/02/w...
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson3+ stars
Bill Bryson writes fairly well, but I read this because I had heard he is funny. He is, but some of this book was also depressing for me. I have known about the environmental issues he discussed almost all of my life (for example, when I was 10 my dad used superior logic to convince me that I couldn't walk everywhere I went but had to ride in a car even if it polluted the air. Even electric cars do because they use electricity which is often generated by burning fossil fuels and various other means, but of course we weren't driving those back then.) So when I pick up a book for its humour, I don't want depressing stuff (that also included murders on the trail, by the way, not just other things.)
Back to the book. I personally would never, ever in my entire life wanted to hike this entire trail. I have backpacked in mountains, but it was part of a much longer program and even though I did it successfully have never once wanted to do it again, and certainly never for so many miles in such uncomfortable conditions. That said, I do, at times, read about people who do this sort of thing.
I learned things about the Appalachian trail, of course, including its history, and may read more books by Bryson. However, I'll vet them first to be sure that any book I read will be fun for the entire book, since that's why I opt to read funny books.
I am reading Alison daddos book called queen menopause. Up to chapter 3.
The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse, by Troy Veenstra3 reluctant stars
This was a short read, very heartfelt, but still very hard to get through because of the writing. It's the kind of book you have to stop reading periodically to go back, re-read and try to figure out what point the author was trying to make. It's full of contradictory statements, 25-cent words, even a few words he appears to have made up himself, and oy vey. I think the points he did make in here are important and need to be better known -- I can summarize it by saying that battered men are still in the same position today that battered women were in circa 1970 -- but for crying out loud, man, hire a copyeditor! RIP Jeff. I looked up the killer on OTIS and she was smiling happily in her mugshot. Scrod help any guy who crosses her path after she's released.
Mod
5 stars
Love the term 'farmoir'. Most farmoirs, the ones where some city slicker moves to the country in search of their inner farmer, seem like one debacle after another, but this one is different. It was intelligent and not whiney at all. The last Farmoir I read the author couldn't kill any animal and so ended up with a huge menagerie of animals. This author moves to the farm realizing that in order to make a living animals have to die. And yet she had a lot of compassion for the animals. I know I couldn't do it. I would love to have a few chickens but they would have to be for eggs only as I could never kill them. Anyway, I don't know how to explain why this 'city girl moves to the country' memoir stands out from the rest, but it does.
Koren wrote: "Country Grit: A Farmoir of Finding Purpose and Love by Scottie Jones5 stars
Love the term 'farmoir'. Most ..."
List it under 'The Good Life' topic? You are right though it's like a fish out of water scenario when city slickers move to the countryside, I wonder if there are a lot of memoirs about the reverse - country bumpkins move to the city. Like Crocodile Dundee or the Beverly Hillbillies.
Mod
5 stars
Love the term 'f..."
Not sure that this book would be listed under 'the good life'. They struggled and almost quit for financial reasons except they came up with an idea that helped them stay afloat. The book states that many farmers these days are doing things such as bed and breakfasts and farm vacation destinations that help to pay for their farming.
Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Country Grit: A Farmoir of Finding Purpose and Love by Scottie Jones5 stars
L..."
Or they get WWOOFERs in (free labour!).
Frances Mayes, author of Under The Tuscan Sun - At Home In Italy, has published a new book of essays: A Place in the World: Finding the Meaning of Home. Highly enjoyable and very readable.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/07/a...
Mod
5 stars
[bookcover:Country Grit: A Farmoir of Finding Purpose and Lov..."
That was something she mentioned in the book, that they didn't want their guests to think they were actually having to do the farm work. They did do hands on, but it was pretty much 'do as much as you want'.
Heiresses: The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies by Laura ThompsonI thought this book might be an interesting romp but when you pile all the disastrous lives on top of each other it feels like overkill and in fact rather depressing.
It's mostly British and American heiresses in question though and the name dropping is relentless. Most heiresses squandered their money or had it stolen by husband fortune hunters who treated them badly and spent their wives money. But they wanted to be loved. However a rich women of independent means is just bait. You want to tell these women choose wisely or stay single but instead they behave like idiots.
I think you'll have more fun reading Crazy Rich Asians
Earlier this year New Testament scholar Luke Timothy Johnson published his memoir of academia entitled The Mind in Another Place: My Life as a Scholar. The story of his own life is quite interesting, and he offers an inside look at politics within the ivory tower.My review;
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/14/t...
Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend
Mitchell Zuckoff
4/5 stars
Charles Ponzi, an immigrant from Italy came to America in 1920 to make it big. Unfortunately, life was hard in America but he eventually latched on to a scheme in Boston that made him a lot of money at the expense of others. Unfortunately, his scheme ended to be a house of cards falling when he thought he had it made! Well written and very interesting!
Mary Wollstonecraft by Eleanor Flexner2 stars
The topic is obvious, this is a biography of Mary Wollstonecraft, and in no way should people confuse her with her daughter whose surname was Shelly but she used her mother's maiden name as well. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly's maiden name was Godwin.
This was very disappointing although it was interesting. The main reason it irked me is due to the fact that the author kept infusing the psychological theories of the time she wrote which are, naturally, dated. Also, the tone of the writing didn't win me over, although it could have been worse. Suffice it to say that the more I read, the less I cared for it, but I managed to slog my way through it. That said, it wasn't a 1 star book due to the amount of research, etc, in this book.
I borrowed this book because it showed up in my library network when I was looking for books by Wollstonecraft, not because of any recommendations, etc. Surely there must be better ones out there, but as you can see the average rating is higher than mine so it's possible you'll like this better than I did.
I listened to the audiobook version of The Window Seat: Notes from a Life in Motion by Aminatta Forna. The writing is marvelous and it is a delight to hear Forna read her own work. Highly recommended!My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/23/t...
Supreme Glamour by Mary WilsonIt's all about the gowns, ladies. Mary Wilson has already written a memoir, but in this one, the glittering, glamorous gowns the Supremes wore take centre stage.
Lots of photos of the girls and the stage costumes in all their glory.
Mod
3 stars
The cases were interesting. Some people might be turned off by all the medical terminology, although most of it is explained. Too bad it was explained on the first page that this was not an actual night in an ER, although "it could have". I wondered why the author just didn't give the book a different name. Is it truly a memoir if the book is called One Night In The ER, but it's not. One star deducted for all the typos.
In her new book Salty: Lessons on Eating, Drinking, and Living from Revolutionary Women author Alissa Wilkinson writes about nine women she admires and whom she would love to bring together for a hypothetical dinner party. Enjoyable reading.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/26/s...
Under Red Skies: Three Generations of Life, Loss, and Hope in China by Karoline KanA millenial's memoir of growing up in China. If anyone has read Jung Chang's Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China or any of Xinran's memoirs on China, this might be your next read on what life in China is like up to today with the younger generation of Chinese women
Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America's First Sports Hero
Christopher Klein
4/5 stars
Klein does a wonderful job describing the colorful life of John L. Sullivan, pugilist and sports icon who was born in 1858 as he follows the ups and downs of his life and career till his death in 1918. Despite the lack of TV and radio, Sullivan’s popularity was one of the highest in the US and he was considered the US’s first sports hero. Highly recommended!
For some reason I had never read Zadie Smith before. I found her book of autobiographical essays, Intimations, delightful reading, mostly because of the beauty of her prose.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/09/30/i...
Mod
4 stars
Not as much a true crime story as a biography of a young woman who had a brief shot at stardom, but pretty much ruined it with drugs and alcohol and irresponsibility. The crime itself is a short part of the book. Very interesting story and I had a hard time putting this down. There was only one thing that kept this from being a 5 star book for me and that is because there is a lot of conversation and saying what her thoughts were, and I wondered if the conversation was made up or where it would have come from.
I Moved Your Cheese: For Those Who Refuse to Live as Mice in Someone Else's Maze
Deepak Malhotra
3/5 stars
The author who wrote this book comes from Harvard Business School and discusses the book Who Moved My Cheese in where the topic of change is inevitable. However, Malhorta feels that we are more than mice in a maze and that we can make our own changes and create the life we want to live. Short but interesting.
Mod
3 stars
Kind of interesting. Not really any 'wow' moments but a quick read. Just some stories by a couple of funeral home directors.
Mod
4 stars
This book was first published in 1990 and has an update at the end. Apparently, it was re-issued shortly after the author's death in January. I had read a book about her ex-husband. He was a strange character, so I didn't doubt her story. He was later convicted of murder but she only briefly touches on this. This is a good insight into how a woman can be in a manipulative, abusive relationship and how hard it can be for them to leave. My only disappointment with this book is that I would have liked to have read more about the 60's music scene. Instead, it seems her actual music career was relatively short and the book deals more with her relationships with family and men.
A better life : the diary of Ivana IvanovichAnother My New Zealand Story series, fictional historical diaries, so I class them more under memoir. This one is set in 1924 in Northland and about an 11 year old girl who's family is from Dalamatia, and its about her (somewhat ordinary) life growing up. Near the end there is a small pox epidemic but otherwise its mostly about going to school, extended family, and going to Sunday matinees in town and fitting in with the New Zealand way of life, which means learning English and fitting in with the Brits.
The Day Heaven Touched Me: The True Story of a Buddhist Monk's Daughter by Dr Song Caris SonnA short testimony of how a South Korean buddhist monk's daughter encountered Jesus. He came to her in a dream and that was how she knew. Contains lots of scripture, but it's encouraging for new believers.
I'm always interested in faith journeys especially those who did not grow up in the church how they came to faith and the experiences they have.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, a civil rights activist, 'the angriest Negro in America.' Must-read for those who want to know the roots of today's racism. 5 stars from me
After finishing How To Be An F1 Driver: My Guide To Life In The Fast Lane I had to read Life to the Limit: My Autobiography and loved it highly recommend all 3.
The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Leerounded up to 4 stars
This is a powerful account of a successful escape from North Korea. Ironically, she wasn't even trying to escape, just leave for a lark before she turned 18 and it would be a serious crime; while she was out she went to visit some relatives. She wasn't able to return for reasons explained in the book. This is because overall she had it better than most--she wasn't starving, for one thing, and she had been brainwashed about other countries--the brainwashing there is relentless, which is common in this sort of regime.
While on the surface it appears to some that this was fairly easy, it wasn't, but it wasn't the most difficult one overall. When you consider how many people attempt to escape North Korea, the odds are that some will go relatively smoothly like this, and it is only relatively smoothly--how many of us who read this have been through this much in our lives? She was helped, in no small way, by relatives once she realized she couldn't leave, plus she was bright with a gift for memorizing helped by a facility for learning languages to the point where she lost her North Korean accent while speaking Korean. Also (view spoiler) That said there were many times when things could have gone either way for her.
There are still harrowing accounts here, and it took a lot of courage and patience, intelligence and help for her to make it through, and later her immediate family members.
Hey guys have posted some bookshelf recommendations hope you all enjoy
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
Jenna Miscavige Hill
4/5 stars
This is the fascinating true life story of Jenna Miscavige and her life in Scientology. She describes her and her family’s life and roles in Scientology, where life for children and adults are very different and highly structured from those on the outside. Children are harshly punished for disobeying and parents and children are separated at an early age and forced to work doing menial tasks. Definitely, a page turner.
Mod
4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I searched for his movies on Amazon Prime and watched Houdini. I wasn't impressed with the movie but maybe I will find better one. As far as the book, there were things I liked and things I hated. I thought it was very well written. It was an even mix of his professional and personal life. Maybe a little too personal. He talks about almost every movie he made but doesn't get overly detailed and mostly talks about his personal relationships with his costars and directors and producers. But he mostly tells us who he liked and didn't like and why and who he went to bed with during the filming. I found him to be very egotistical and arrogant, quite often telling us how handsome he is and how women fall all over him. The book actually reads like a who's who of his sexual conquests. None of his marriages last very long and even at the end of the book it seems that he doesn't have much of a relationship with his children, but doesn't take full credit for that, putting blame on the ex-wives for 'poisoning' the children's minds. So, even though I didn't become a fan of Curtis after reading this, it was an interesting read. I was sad to learn that he died 2 years after writing the book.
Koren wrote: "American Prince: A Memoir by Tony Curtis4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I searched for his mov..."
I love old films and enjoyed Curtis' films. I added this to my reading list. Have you seen Some Like It Hot. Great film with Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe!
Mod
4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I search..."
No I havent. I will look for it.
Mod
3 stars
I thought there would be more 60's music history and behind the scenes in this book but instead it seemed more like the author was patting himself on the back and telling us all the people he had met along the way. The chapter on meeting the swami was a real yawner. The author has an upbeat attitude and doesn't like to say anything bad about anybody. On the rare occasion he does he doesn't use names. So, this book is not really a tell-all, but interesting to learn the stories behind some of the biggest songs of the 60s.
Julie wrote: "Koren wrote: "American Prince: A Memoir by Tony Curtis4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I search..."
Isn't he Jamie Lee Curtis' dad? Did he mention her in his book?
Selina wrote: "Julie wrote: "Koren wrote: "American Prince: A Memoir by Tony Curtis4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my ..."
He is Jamie Lee Curtis' dad. Her mom was Janet Leigh of Hitchcock's film Psycho.
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
Metaphysical Animals: How Four Women Brought Philosophy Back to Life (other topics)Love Is Understanding: The Life and Times of Peter Tork and The Monkees (other topics)
Declassified: A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music (other topics)
The Distance Between Us (other topics)
I'm Glad My Mom Died (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jewel (other topics)Rachael Wiseman (other topics)
Clare Mac Cumhaill (other topics)
Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch (other topics)
Jennette McCurdy (other topics)
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4 stars
We know from the cover that this book is about dealing with the loss of a child, so it is on the depressing side. The author explores how her upbringing played a part in how she dealt with the death and how she dealt with the death differently from her husband. I think this would be a good book to read to help others who are dealing with the loss of a child to know there are others who share your feelings.